Janga by Derrick's Jamaican Cuisine

My son was very excited to go to this place. He got the jerk chicken and I got the curry vegetables. We also got the appetizer sampler with plantains, shrimp and chicken. The shrimp was large. Otherwise, I found all the food to be unremarkable. They were edible but nothing stood out for me where I would encourage someone else go to this location over the many other choices in the area. Evidently, they are having issues with staffing as well, but I didn't really hold that against them as virtually all places seem to have that problem.

On the weekends they have live music, so we made sure we went on a Saturday. You can hear the music playing before you even cross the street, I love that! The location is beautiful and they have both indoor and outdoor seating, we choose outdoor because we wanted to be close to the music and they had heat lamps.

I ordered the BBQ Tofu with the side of Healing Greens and the red beans & rice. I also got the Curry Veggies with White Rice and Sautéed Okra. These plates arrived at our table piping hot and they smelled so delicious. The BBQ Tofu did not disappoint at all, I could eat this every single day and be completely happy. The Healing Greens made me realized that I have been cooking kale wrong my entire life. How they managed to make the kale absorb so much flavor while still being soft yet firm in texture must be a family secret.

I enjoyed the food. Everything was delicious and fresh, I loved the atmosphere and the Jamaican vibes this restaurant is giving. I definitely recommend this spot for authentic Jamaican food

When I'm in Culver City, this is where I go to get my Jamaican patties! Drinks and food are my on par. I'm from the East coast so nothing compares to that, but Janga gets pretty close!

Delicious! Me and my boyfriend have now tried the majority of the menu and are yet to find something we don’t love. Favorite restaurant in Culver!

Really disappointed. I ordered for Christmas meal salt fish and ackee and there was barely any salt fish and ackee

The food was delicious. I had the jerk shrimp which was very tasty, well seasoned, not too spicy and just the right size portion. The greens were excellent and the rice and beans hit the spot. Our server was funny, attentive and just an all around great hostess. We definitely plan to go back.

I like this place. The customer service can be better. I am vegetarian and I love the plantains and the curry veggies. The curry veggies are so freaking tasty. Also the veggie patties are really good and very filling.

Update 3 years later:

I’ve brought over 5 friends who are POC here and they all do not enjoy the food they always say it is not flavorful and honestly it is a more diverse crowd now than ever before that comes here so I think they cater to a different type of people. But I still would come for those veggie Pattie’s. But Since the pandemic the customer service got worse. The use a different vendor for the veggie Pattie’s and they aren’t bad but the other ones with cabbage were amazing!

I’ve given this place many chances coming here for 4 years. But when my friend and I came on Sunday 11/27 we did not like the service at all and thought the food was horrible. Usually they send you a text to review how your service was and the black guy server didn’t even bother. He was asking us to clean up the table as if we worked there. Just so sad to see the places you love go downhill.

Worst Caribbean food I’ve ever tasted and I’ve been around the world! The rice and pea is straight out of a packet from Trader Joe’s. The cabbage is kale with a watery bland taste and the veggies tasted like the air down skid row.

At first I thought the kale was cállalo, however after closer inspection it was bushier than European weed. I did know whether to eat it or grind it. Drier than a sand scorpions back garden.

The last time I was this disappointed, was when I was 3 years old and I caught my dad eating the mince pies I’d left out for Santa Claus. Oh and the jerk sauce wasn’t even jerk it was half bbq, half forget about it…

If Jeffry Epstein was a restaurant it’ll be this place. Avoid this place like swine flu. I would rather let Ted Bundy fit my bathroom doorframe with his trusted hammer whilst I’m at work, and my girl is in the shower singing a feminist rendition of Beyoncé’s Flawless.

Food was good but the portions were tiny for the prices. The jerk chicken in the sampler was basically chicken nuggets, which I didn’t like but the curry goat and greens are good. But again, really small portions for the prices paid. Probably to be expected of this particular area though.

Overall, a good experience. The curry chicken had a more mild flavor, not what you would call Jamaican but it was decent. The rice and beans lacked flavor and the greens were delicious. The meat patties were the best. The host was nice and food came out on time. We'll give it another try.

When you want hot you got it, when you want mild or in between you got it, when you want some good food you got it, if you get it there

Food is fresh and delicious, fun drinks, great chill vibe. This is a great local business to support. Enjoy the plantains!